Expert: Susie Watts - 5/16/2010

Question
I'm going to be a High School Senior next year and I have narrowed my college choices down. Is it a good idea to pick a college based on these factors;

Amount of graffiti in the restrooms, the way the students dressed and quietest library.

I'm down to two choices that are only minutes away from each other and my Dad seemed to notice these things during our visits to each school. He concluded that the less writing on the walls, better dressed students and quieter library in one specific school should help me make up my mind. I'm just not sure if those are good factors to base a decision on. I could see myself at either University but should those factors be used to tip the scale one way or another?

Answer
As a college consultant, I would not use your Dad's criteria to decide where I would attend school for the next four years.  It is important that you consider which school seems the best fit for you.  Think about these factors and how they affect your education academically and socially:
location, size, student retention, graduation rates within 4 years, interests, financial aid and scholarships, etc.  These are far better considerations to make the best choice.